In my opinion too early in the season, and there could be a lot of building work still unfinished.

Despite what the brochures might imply the season runs from the middle of June to the middle of September. Outside these times you run the risk of finding many bars restaurants and stalls not open.

You have to remember that few people actually live in resorts such as Sunny Beach, they have been build for the tourist industry.

Peter

I would agree with Peter of York.

If you opt to go so early in the already 'extended' season, you pay your money and take your chances on facilities being open - for example, Action Aqua Park opened this year on 25th May, while Aqua Paradise (Nesebar) opened on 23rd May.

In general, the only people who remain in the Bulgarian resorts over the closed season are likely to be Western European ex-pats who have bought into the 'beach apartment' lifestyle without realising that Bulgarian winters can be quite extreme.

Baldur

i dont know what its like in may but we went on 1st june for 2 weeks and it was busy and the weather was really good didnt notice anything closed,we stayed at the chaika hotel on the front and that was very nearly full
paul

Cheers people. I might go 1st 2 weeks of June instead but may take the risk....

My mum went 2nd of May this year and it wasn't all open. They were getting ready to open as mum left on the 16th. Also there was only 7 of them altogether in their hotel (Meridian) and because of this they had no choices at meal times. As they were leaving on the 16th it was getting a bit busier and they were setting up all the take away stalls along the sea front, but still hadn't opened properly.

I have booked for the first time to Bulgaria. I fly 31st May for 2 weeks staying at the Kuban hotel. I have been watching this forum for a few weeks and have been grateful for the knowledge I have gained especially from Baldur and Peter of York, thanks for that.

Well I will be staying in my sisters apartment so Im not worried about how busy hotels are. I just need a few restaurants loads of bars, the strip clubs and the casino to be open. Then its happy days.

May is a bit hit and miss, weather wise. I went last year mid May. It was shorts and t-shirt weather, but we didnt do much lying about the pool. There were enough bars and restaurants open to give you a decent choice. The summer timetable for the buses didnt start till around the last weekend in May.

We spent a bit of time cleaning and tidying our apaertment, and painted the bedroom ( not your usual week in the sun) and enjoyed it.

I just need...........and the casino to be open.

Not sure about the Southern resorts but the casinos are among the only facilities which, traditionally, have been open during the off-season in many of the Northern resorts - being frequented by large numbers of Israeli 'high rollers'.

The Bulgarian Government have recently voted to increase the tax on gambling by 50% (from 10% to 15%) in order to fund the maintenance of current taxation levels on alcohol, especially rakia - Novinite report.

Dont spoil your holiday by going to early, I went last year to check on my apartment the last week in April, when I was returing (1 May) I was told my loads of bulgarians that the official season open, for them anyway, is the first weekend in May...
whe I was there in May alot of the pools were not filled up and only Djannys and the Condor restaurants in SB were open, the beach was desolate and it was not hot.
Like The UK, Sunny Beach has bitter winters...

This being said I would not go until the last week in May at the earliest - this year Im going first week in June

Sunny Beach can be very busy and 18-30 ish in peak season so it depends what your looking for

My personal opinion? First 2 weeks in June

Bubba

The official fully operational season is from mid June to mid September.

They have special events to mark the official opening, the resort of these events changes from year to year.

Outside these dates you are likely to find places closed and building work taking place.

Many Bulgarians are still enjoying their break after the winter ski season in the mountains.

Patka

I would def say go at end of May. I have been the last week of May for the past 2 years and have booked for this year 24-31st. It's quiet compared to July/Aug when i've been but there is still plenty of fun to be had.

Most restaurants In SB were open or opening.
bars were all open but not very full -1 bar on the front tended to be heaving depending on where the pub crawl was.
casino was open and busy
went to 2 club opening parties that week
Beach was clean and weather was mostly gorgeous (1 day of cloud/drizzle)
Buses were runnind every hour (ish) from Nessebar to Vlas and beyond.

If you go I would reccommend a vist to Vlas marina for the food and a drink around the square. It busier than SB but by know means a party.

It is potentially a bit of a gamble with the weather but i'm hoping for 3rd time lucky! fingers crossed